[Anonyim]

Hello to everyone!

Lurked here for quite awhile, just joined this morning. Hoping to get some opinions. Here's the situation..

I own a Ninja 250R which I love. Was my first bike, couldn't have asked for better. Have logged nearly 4,000 miles on it. However I admit that ego has gotten the better of me and I'd like to purchase another bike with some acceleration to it. Not looking to haul ass down the highway at 150 or drag race, just would like to get up to 60 with some gusto as well as have some power in reserve for when I'm cruising along at 65 and need to pass traffic or get out of the path of a tailgating eighteen-wheeler. (The 250's power rolls on slow at that speed since it's damned near at the top of it's power band)

I know someone who has a nice looking 01' EX500 for sale with a little over six grand on the odometer and he's only asking $2,600. I've got enough saved up to purchase it outright with no bank note. However I've also been looking at the Ninja 650R, and the cheapest I've found one around my area is $7,178 OTD. So here's my question - and bear in mind I'm not parting with my 250, should I pick up the 500 or put the cash towards the 650R and have a payment (albeit a slightly smaller one)? How's the 500 for acceleration?

Advice welcome!

 

[MrSciTrek]

What kind of riding are you doing: commuter, touring, street-sport, racing?
How hard & how often do you crank that throttle & deep-lean that sucker?
What are the weather & traffic conditions that you usually ride in?
What are your riding skills & how easy do you earn $$?

The difference in 0-60 between the 500 & 650 isn't much. The difference in price is triple?
A properly tuned 500 w/ a good rider oughta get 0-60 in just under 4 seconds. That's as fast as the new 400 hp Corvettes. Fast enough?

The 650 will have new technology, fuel injection (no choke), firmer frame... yet has little advantage in hp/cc or mpg. Since the 650 is new, parts & mods will be fewer & more expensive (?), and there won't be used parts available.

Which would win in a road race... not my area. Experienced members here put a lot of emphasis on proper tuning/mods of the suspension, but the biggest factor is rider skill & smarts.

Just realized that this topic has already been addressed on this site... use the "search box" in the upper right of the screen. Go get 'em!

 

[Me and my monkee]

SV650S?
First gens (01-02) can be had for around $3000 in good shape.
Second gens around $4000.
Most mag tests rate it higher tham the Ninja 650.
That is a good deal on the EX500 you found, though I think that the 250 and 500 will be too close in performance and function to make it worthwhile.
And why is the you found EX650 $800 over MSRP? Are they in that big a demand? Anything over $6400, not including taxes, is bullshit charges.

 

[Lucky#13]

I would have to strongly disagree with M&MM on the two not being much different . Matter of fact they are completely different in performance . From what you said in your post , I would have to say go with the 500 .

 

[dad1]

I would find a '94 or up. That's the latest design with disc brake front and rear and 17" wheels. Especially 17" wheels. More tire choices available with the 17's. Also, that price sounds a little high for one that old.

I've bought mine for under $2500 and they were clean and low mileage (less than 3,000). They were private owners and I was patient, but....

For a later year, very nice example, I would think you should be able to find one for $3,000.

I'm going to be selling a very clean example, a '94, with 2300 miles and TOTAL maintenance, ALL fluids changed, etc in the spring. Truly ready to ride ANYWHERE! I was planning on $1,500 bone stock or $1,800 resprung for the rider's weight and cartridge emulators. Apparently I should re-think my price. Can't imagine more than $2500 though, in any market.

 

[Lucky#13]

I could be wrong (wouldn't be the first or last), but he's looking at a '01 . It has the front and rear disc brakes and 17'' rims . Also didn't they change all that in '94 ???

 

[dad1]

There are really only two models of these. '93 and down, '94 and up. The largest difference is the early ones have 16" rear wheel and drum rear brake. A few other refinements as well as I've gathered from posts, not experienced. I never owned a pre '94.

For '94 and up, all of the changes are color changes and then the lower chin fairing being changed from optional to standard around '99.

 

[Lucky#13]

I would find an '04 or up. That's the latest design with disc brake front and rear and 17" wheels. Especially 17" wheels. More tire choices available with the 17's. Also, that price sounds a little high for one that old.

I was just wondering why you said find an '04 or up when they are the same from '94 up ?

 

[dad1]

I was just wondering why you said find an '04 or up when they are the same from '94 up ?

:-[ I corrected it.

 

[Anonyim]

What kind of riding are you doing: commuter, touring, street-sport, racing?
How hard & how often do you crank that throttle & deep-lean that sucker?
What are the weather & traffic conditions that you usually ride in?
What are your riding skills & how easy do you earn $$?

Commuting, some touring (namely to visit relatives out of state), joy rides wherever for the hell of it, and groupies with friends. No street-balling, no dragging, no racing.

I crank the throttle often, finding excuses ranging from merging into traffic to passing the geezer slowing down the lane. I don't go outrageously over the speed limit, though - I just like to get there quickly. ;D

I've only dragged peg a handful of times. Not something I do regularly.

I'll ride anytime the temperature is above freezing and the roads dry. (Don't push it when the asphalt is cold, as we all know how cold tires and cold pavement are a bad combo) Rode in the rain twice, once nearly lowsiding because of a oil patch. Slid sideways for a bit before recovering....somehow. Probably that prayer I say before heading out each time. (The crucifix helps, too.) Swore off wet weather after that.

My riding skills? Average, I'd say. Been riding just over a year and never beyond my limits. My rule of thumb is when in doubt - don't. Earn decent money, but have an ex-wife and child support which sucks away a hefty portion. Am handy with a wrench, though. Do all the PM on the 250 myself. If I bought the Ninja 650R I'd have to finance it. Company credit union has good rates.

The difference in 0-60 between the 500 & 650 isn't much. The difference in price is triple?
A properly tuned 500 w/ a good rider oughta get 0-60 in just under 4 seconds. That's as fast as the new 400 hp Corvettes. Fast enough?

The 650R's seem to be in high demand, least where I live. Have only seen one used model for sale. It'd been lowsided and I didn't trust it. $7,178 out the door is the lowest I've found, and believe me I've called around. Don't know whether that's fast enough or not. Haven't ridden an EX500 but read somewhere it goes 0-60 in 3.7 or something. I should also have mentioned that one of these days I might take my gf riding with me and want something we could double-up on without getting sluggish. (Neither of us needs weight watchers)

The 650 will have new technology, fuel injection (no choke), firmer frame... yet has little advantage in hp/cc or mpg. Since the 650 is new, parts & mods will be fewer & more expensive (?), and there won't be used parts available.

That's one of the things I like about the 650R. Fuel injected.

 

[unworthy]

I'd get the 500. I personally don't like carying a lot of debt. If you buy the 500 outright, you can save some cash over the next year or so and trade up again.

 

[Guest]

Hello to everyone!

.....Not looking to haul a$$ down the highway at 150 or drag race, just would like to get up to 60 with some gusto as well as have some power in reserve for when I'm cruising along at 65 and need to pass traffic or get out of the path of a tailgating eighteen-wheeler. (The 250's power rolls on slow at that speed since it's damned near at the top of it's power band)...
Advice welcome!

The chart in the back of Motor Cyclist magazine shows top-gear roll-ons (60-80mph) for the 500 at 7.05 seconds, the 650r at 7.21. So, (if you don't downshift) the 500 seems to have an edge in passing speed. By comparison, the '06 ZX-6R does the same in 3.9, the ZX-10R in 2.6. Even the Hardleys will out-pass either the 500 or 650. Parallel twins just don't have the legs?

Like I describe my 500 to others; "Turns like an F-16, just doesn't have an afterburner..."

 

[commuter]

The 500 will feel quite a bit stronger than the 250. You will find it has plenty of power for your intended use. Cash vs finance? Cash baby!

Get what turns you on!

 

[bhowman1980]

The 500 will feel quite a bit stronger than the 250. You will find it has plenty of power for your intended use. Cash vs finance? Cash baby!

Get what turns you on!

I agree The 500 Will way overpower the 250 and will have very similar riding experience as the 250 your used to.. I have rode a 650 and its a way different ride. Worst case scenario buy the 500 get more power and in a year or two when your looking for more trade both 250 and the 500 in for something better. Loans suck! I rode w/my ex girlfriend all the time on my 500 no problem zipping through traffic!

 

[FarFetched]

If you like the buzziness of twins, then stay with twins. I demo rode Sv1000 and boy was it pleasant not to feel that[/color] buzz at cruise speeds.
I put about 10 miles on SV...I Liked it.
However, powerband is a killer, roll-on is more than adequate, sometimes too much. Very easy to lift front end w/o serious trying!
Not a bike after 250 - defiantely!
Try Interceptor (VRF800) Very comfy bike - pricey, but if you can afford well worth it!
IMHO 650R lacks two things - style and center stand! 8)
Just my ,02$
Cheers!

 

[Super Sneaky Steve]

The 500 will make you happy, but the 650 will keep you happy longer.

Get the 650.

 

[bhowman1980]

The 500 will make you happy, but the 650 will keep you happy longer.

Get the 650.

This is only IMO but why is it that everyone thinks bigger is better... Personally I thought the 650 was not as nice handling and I felt far more comfortable on the 500. This is only my opinion...

 

[knightslugger]

because in some cases, it is.

 

[bhowman1980]

because in some cases, it is.

True.... The point I was trying to make was a little too general, In this case compairing the 650r vs the 500r bigger isn't better for me anyway.

 

[knightslugger]

but if the 500 had a 650 motor, you would change your mind right? What you're talking about is the difference in models, not displacement, right?